Copy holder and stand



March 24:, 1936. B. E. VAN ALsTYNE I 2,034,930

COPY HOLDER AND STAND Filed Oct. lO, 1955 2 {Sheets-Sheet l Z9 31 f5 ZZ 35 34 l 52 25" I I 1 I I' 35 37 g I y@ l l #LIF-'rl f7 a 19 l -1.-. y l2 i I. i ./6

l ATTORNEYS.

March 24, 1936. B. E. VAN ALSTYNE COPY HOLDER ND STAND Filed ootflo, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNI/ENTOR.4 ONNJE E. @Mis TYNE *5% ATTORNEYS.

BVM,

Patented Mar. 24, 1936 STATES 18 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in copy holders and stands, and it consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a copy holder which includes a base that can. be clamped in various positions to a desk. In addition the copy holder can be adjusted along the base and can be turned into diierent angular positions lo with respect to the base. In this way the copy holder itself can be disposed in the most suitable position for the typist, and therefore the note book or other data being copied will be positioned where the typist may View it with the least exerl5 tion. The base slidably supports a pedestal and this pedestal can be connected directly to the copy holder so that the copy holder will be positioned close to the base. If the operator wishes to raise the copy holder above the base a leg is used, and

this leg is removably secured to the pedestal and to the copy holder. It is possible toplace the copy holder directly upon the supporting surface such as a desk top without the need of a supporting leg, pedestal or base.

One of the principal features of the invention lies in the provision of a shoulder on the rear plate. This shoulder cooperates `with the top edge of the front plate to clamp a portion of a note book therebetween. In this way the note book is securely held in position. If the note book is longer than the length of the front plate, the bottom of the note book can rest on the bottom shelf of the copy holder while the rear plate can be moved with respect to the front plate for forcing the shoulder down upon the top of the note book. The note book will therefore be securely clamped between the bottom shelf and the shoulder.

The rear plate is also designed to be inverted,

and in this instance the shoulder Will yieldingly engage with the rear cover of the note book, and

will act as a clamping member for holding the note book in position and for preventing movement of the rear plate in the copy holder.

An auxiliary clamp is used for holding the rear plate against movement, regardless of its position, and the clamp can be used for contacting directly with the note book cover when the rear plate is not used.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

55 My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the base showing the copy holder disposed thereon in'an angular position;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the copy holder and supporting leg;

Figure 4 shows the copy holder supported by the pedestal instead of by the leg, and further 10 shows the rear plate in a different position;

Figure 5 shows the copy holder resting directly on a supporting surface, and shows the rear plate inverted;

Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the copy holder 15 with the rear plate removed; and

Figure '7 is a horizontal section taken along line 'l-'I of Figure l.

In carrying out my invention I provide a base I, which is shown rectangular in shape in Figure 2. 20 The base has a front downwardly extending flange 2 that aids in positioning the base on a supporting surface, such as a desk top 3. A clamp 4 secures the base to the desk top.

Figure 2 shows the base I as being provided 25 with an inclined guideway 5. A pedestal indicated generally at I slides in the guideway, and this pedestal comprises a rectangular plate 'I and a non-circular upright 8, see Figure 4. If desired, the rectangular plate I can be in the shape 30 of a large disk, and this disk can be made heavy enough to support the copy holder against tipping.

In Figure 3 I show a tubular member or leg 9, and this leg has a reduced portion Ill designed 35 to be passed through a sleeve I I, and an enlarged portion I2 that extends below the sleeve. A shoulder I3 separates the portion I0 from the portion I2 and this shoulder bears against the under side of the sleeve II. 40

The sleeve II is connected to a copy holder, and Figure 3 shows the copy holder as consisting of a front plate I4 and a rear plate I5. The front plate is connected by a brace I6 to the sleeve II.

A lower shelf Il extends forwardly from the lower 45 edge of the front plate and the shelf has a downwardly turned flange I 8 and short legs I9 are disposed beneath the shelf and at the ends thereof. Figure 7 shows the front plate I4 as being provided with two grooves 2D and 2| disposed at 5o each side of the front plate and adjacent to the top. Figure shows the two grooves 20 and 2l as extending downwardly from the top edge 22 of the front plate. 'Ihe groove 2l slidably receives the rear plate I5, and this groove is bounded by an inner wall 23 that is longer than the outer Wall 24, see Figure 6. The purpose of this construction will be hereinafter described.

A cross piece 25 extends in back of the plate I 4 and is secured to the rear walls 24. This spaces the cross piece 25 from the front plate. The cross piece carries the bracket 25 and the bracket in turn supports a depending anchoring pin 2l, Figure 3 shows the top of the tubular leg 9 provided with an opening 28 that removably receives the anchoring pin. The pin 21 and the sleeve I I form the connection between the leg 9 and the copy holder.

The rear plate I5 has a shoulder 29Vformed therein and the normal position of the rear plate causes this shoulder to extend over the upper edge 22 of the front plate I4, see Figure 3. A metal portion 39 integral with the shoulder 29 extends upwardly from the shoulder, and then a shelf 3I extends rearwardly and downwardly at an angle from the portion 3i). It will be seen that a hand grip is provided by the shoulder 29, the front portion 3'0 and the shelf 3|, and this hand grip aids the operator in sliding the rear plate I5 in the grooves '2I, or in entirely removing the plate. End pieces 32 shown'in'Figure l are used for reinforcing the hand grip portion. Figure l further shows a paper gripping clip 33 that is angular in cross section, and which extends across the width of the rear plate I5. The paper gripping clip or clamp 33 is secured at one end to the portion 39 e by rivets 34 or other suitable fastening means.

A guide rod 35 is secured to the front plate I4 and is spaced from one edge thereof. The guide rod extends throughout the length of the front plate and slidably carries a sleeve 376. A line indicator 3l is `pivotally carried at 38 by the sleeve 36 and a handle 39 is secured to the line indicator 3'I for swinging the indicator into the desired angular positions and for moving the indicator vertically. The line indicator is shown in detail inFigure k'7.

Figures 5, 6 and '7 show a clamp 4I) secured to the 'inner surface of the cross piece 25 by a rivet 4I or other suitable fastening means. The free end of the clamp 40 is U-shaped as at 42 and is disposed adjacent to the bracket 25. An adjusting screw 43 is threaded through the bracket and the cross piece and is designed to move the clamp 49magainst the rear plate I5 for holding it fromY moving. e

From the foregoing description of the various -`parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood.

The copy holder and base is designed to fulfill a number of functions, and to support note books of different sizes and types. The base l may be disposed in different positions `on a desk top and the pedestal supporting the copy holder may be moved along the guideway 5 to position the copy holder either in back or in front of a type-writer. Figure 2 indicates the position of a typewriter at 44v inV its relation with the copy holder. The copy holder is so positioned that the carriage of the typewriter may be moved throughout its entire klength of travel without interfering with the copyholder. I have found that in the various positions in which the base I may be disposed, the n square sleeve I I may be mounted on the pedestal 8 or the supporting leg 9 to face in any one of the four directions provided by the square upright 8- Y I not only provide a, base and a pedestal which will support the copy holder in diiferent angular positions, but I also support the copy holder predetermined distance above the desk by means of the leg 9, or adjacent to the desk by means of the pedestal 6. Furthermore, the copy holder may be supported directly on the desk as shown in Figure 5, when neither the leg nor the pedestal is used.

The rear plate I5 is designed to be placed in three different positions. The normal position is that shown in Figures 1 and 3 where the shoulder 29 projects over the upper edge 22 of the front plate I4. A large note book 45 is shown held in place, the rear cover 46 of the book being passed between the front and rear plates I 4 and I5. The shoulder 29 cooperates with the edge 22 to clamp the note book in place and the hinge of the book overlies the paper clamp 33 and the shelf 3| YIn Figure 4 I show the rear plate I5 reversed in position so that the shelf 3| faces toward the front of the copy holder and the shoulder 29 "faces rearwardly. The same large note book 45 is shown in position by broken lines, and the shelf 3'IV supports the hinge of the note book. 'The rear cover 46 can be clamped in place in this instance 'by the adjusting screw 43 and the clamp 42,forcing the rear plate I5` against the'rear cover 46 The rear plate I5 is shown inverted in Figure' 5, and the shoulder '29 willyieldingly 'engage with the rear cover 46 of the note bo'ok 45 to clamp the note book in position. The 'rear plate in 'this instance is 'flexed andthe higher theplate is movedwith respectto the'front plate the more tension is exerted on the shoulder 29 due to the greater flexing of the plate. lIn this way the pressure of the shoulder 'against the rear cover 46 can be varied. The lower edge '4l ofthe rear plate I5 in this instance becomes the supporting edge for the hinge of the note book '45.

The front and rear plates varedesigned to support Va note book similar to 'the' one shown but flonger than the length of the front'plate I4.

would be llowered so lthat the edge 41 would lie in the same plane ias the edge 22 'of the front plate. book would be clamped in place between `the shoulder 29 and the front plate I4.

Two vother note books are used, one of which consists of a single row of stitching, andis' provided with 4flexible 4front and rear covers, the other one of 'which is also held'together 'by a single Vrow of stitchingfbut is provided with stiff front and rear covers. The device'isadapted to support these types of note books inthe same manner 'as it supports the note bookshown'in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

It will be noted from Figure 5 that the cross bar 25 and the hand grip formed by the shoulder 29 and shelf 3| are close enough together so that the operator can grasp the cross bar and the hand grip in moving the rear plate -I5 upwardly. I have .found that an adjustment of the rear plate upwardly as the leaves of the note book are turned will causethe pages that are being copied to lie ina better-position. When movingthe rear plate downwardly the fingers are placed on the inner surface of Athe shelf 3l, see Figure 5, and then the `plate can be moved readily in a downwarddirection.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 show the note book 45 hanglThe rear cover of this type of note ing from and being supported by the upper edge 22 of the front plate I 4. The edge in this instance acts as the sole support for the note book.

In Figure 3 it will be noted that the note book 45 has two hinges, one being disposed adjacent to each cover. The shoulder 25 clamps one hinge to the edge 22 of the front plate I4, while the other hinge coincides with the rear edge of the shelf 3|.

The auxiliary clamp 4D can be used for holding the rear plate I5 against movement when the plate is in any one of the three positions shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5. The clamp in bearing against the rear plate I5 not only holds the plate in adjusted position, but also forces the cover of the note book against the rear surface of the front wall I4. In this way the note book is clamped in place.

The auxiliary clamp IIB can also be used without the rear plate I5. For example, when the note book is supported by the upper edge 22 of the front plate III, the clamp 40 can force the rear cover of the note book against the rear surface of the front plate Iii. The cross bar 25 acts as a rear wall for the note book cover in this case, and this same bar also carries the auxiliary clamp 40. If desired, the hinge of the note book can be raised above the edge 22 of thefront plate I4 and the auxiliary clamp 46 will hold the cover in raised position by forcing it against the front plate I4.

When the front cover i8 of the note book is clamped in this manner, so as to hold the hinge of the note book above the upper edge of the front plate IB, then the upper edge of the note book acts as its own supporting shelf for the leaves of the note book, and the leaves may be turned over this supporting edge of the front cover as they are used.

While I have shown only the preferred forms of my invention, it shoulld be understood that various changes or modications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A copy holder comprising a front plate, a rear plate slidably carried by the front plate and being provided with a shoulder that projects over the upper edge of the front plate, said rear plate cooperating with the front plate for providing a note book cover receiving pocket, the shoulder cooperating with the upper edge of the front plate for clamping a portion of the book hinge therebetween, whereby the note book is held in position.

2. A copy holder comprising a front plate, a rear plate slidably carried by the front plate and cooperating with the front plate for providing a note book cover receiving pocket, the top of the rear plate being provided with a shelf for supporting a portion of the note book hinge, and means for urging the rear plate toward the front plate for clamping the note book cover in position and for holding the rear plate against movement.

3. A copy holder comprising a front plate having grooves shorter in length than the plate, a rear plate slidably carried by the grooves and being provided with a shoulder at its upper end, the rear plate when turned upside down causing the shoulder to yieldingly clamp the rear cover of a note book against the front plate, whereby the note book is held in place and the rear plate is held against movement, the edge of the rear plate disposed opposite the shoulder constituting a support for'the note book hinge.

4. In comb-ination, a copy holder, a brace secured to the lower part of the copy holder, a non-circular sleeve carried by the brace, an anchoring pin disposed near the top of the copy holder, a non-circular tubular member received in the sleeve and being provided with an opening at its upper end for receiving the pin whereby the tubular member is secured to the copy holder, and means for supporting the tubular member.

5. In combination, a copy holder, a brace secured to the lower part of the copy holder, a non-circular sleeve carried by the brace, and a pedestal having a non-circular portion receivable in the sleeve for supporting the sleeve and copy holder in proper position.

6. In a copy holder, a front plate, a guide way spaced from the plate and disposed along each side thereof, said guideways extending down from the top of the plate a predetermined distance, and a rear plate slidable in the guideways, the wall of each guideway disposed nearest the front wall being longer than the outer guideway wall, whereby the rear plate can be readily inserted from the bottoms of the guideways if desired.

7. A support for a copy holder comprising a non-circular upright, a copy holder, a sleeve for carrying the copy-holder and being received in different angular positions on the support, whereby the copy holder can be swung into different angular positions about the support.

8. A copy holdler comprising a front plate, a shelf extending forwardly from the bottom edge of the platel a rear plate slidably carried by the front plate and being provided with a shoulder, said shoulder cooperating with the shelf for holding a book that is longer than the front plate, in position, the book being supported between the shelf and shoulder.

9. A copy holder comprising a front plate, a shelf extending forwardly from the bottom edge of the plate, a rear plate slidably carried by the front plate and being provided with a shoulder, said shoulder cooperating with the shelf for holding a book that is longer than the front plate, in position, the book being supported between the shelf and shoulder, and a clamp for holding the rear plate against movement.

10. In combination, a front plate, a rear plate slidably carried by the front plate, a cross bar carried by the front plate and extending in back of the rear plate, a clamping member carried by the bar, and means for urging the member into frictional contact with the rear plate to hold the plate against movement.

11. In combination, a front plate, a rear plate slidably carried thereby, a shoulder carried by the rear plate and an integral shelf extending therefrom, said shelf extending in an opposite direction to and being spaced from the shoulder, whereby a space is provided between the shelf and shoulder for the fingers, and this part of the rear plate constitutes a hand grip portion by means of which the rear plate is easily moved.

12. In a copy holder, a front plate, a rear plate slidably carried by the front plate and carrying a shoulder designed to cooperate with the upper edge of the front plate for clamping a portion of a note book therebetween, and a paper gripping clamp carried by the rear plate at a place adjacent to the shoulder, whereby the rear plate is adapted to hold either a note pook or sheets of paper in position.

13. In a copy holder support, a, sleeve connected to the copy holder, a tubular member removably receivable in the sleeve and carrying an extension below the sleeve of the same crosssectional area as the sleeve, and a pedestal carrying an upright receivable either in the sleeve or in the extension of the tubular member, whereby the copy holder can be supported at different elevations with respect to the pedestal.

14. In combination, a rectangular base, an inclined guideway carried by the base, a pedestal slidable in the guideway and carrying a noncircular upright, a copy holder, a non-circular sleeve carried by the copy holder, said sleeve being receivable on the upright in diierent positions, whereby the copy holder can face in diierent directions with respect to the base.

15. In combination, a rectangular base, an inclined guideway carried by the base, a pedestal slidable in the guideway and carrying a noncircular upright, a copy holder, a non-circular sleeve carried by the copy holder, said sleeve being receivable on the upright in diierent positions, whereby the copy holder can face in different directions with respect to the base, and clamping means for securing the base to a supporting surface in the desired position.

16. In combination, a front plate, a cross piece extending across the back of the plate and being spaced therefrom, a supporting leg removably secured to the cross piece, said cross piece also cooperating with the plate for providing a pocket for receiving the rear cover of a note book.

17. In combination, a front plate, and a rear plate spaced from the iront plate for receiving the rear cover of a note book therebetween, the upper portion of the rear plate constituting a support for the book hinge when the book is opened.

18. In combination, a front plate, a cross piece extending across the rear of the plate and being spaced therefrom, the space between the plate and cross piece being designed to receive the rear cover of a note book, and clamping means carried by the cross piece for securing the cover against movement.

BONNIE E. VAN ALSTYNE. 

